Method of protecting hard surfaces

ABSTRACT

Hard surfaces protection is accomplished by the application of a polyester formed by the copolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene terephthalate thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various hard surface cleaning and polishing compositions are known tothe art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,359 discloses such acomposition which comprises an organic solvent/water solvent mixture, anorganic polysiloxane soluble in such mixture, a silane and apolycarboxylic chelating acid. This patent discloses several othermaterials suitable for treatment of hard surfaces, several of whichcontain polysiloxanes.

In British Patent 2,137,652A there is disclosed a soil release promotingliquid detergent which comprises a synthetic organic nonionic detergentor a mixture of nonionic and synthetic organic anionic detergents and asoil release promoting proportion of a copolymer of polyethyleneterephthalate and polyoxyethyleneterephthalate in an aqueous medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves a method of protecting hard surfaces bythe application to said surface of a dispersion of a polyester formed bythe copolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethyleneor polyoxypropylene terephthalate and allowing the dispersion's carrierto dry thereby leaving an even layer of the polyester on the treatedsurface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Polymers suitable for use in the present invention include copolymers ofpolyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate orpolyoxypropylene terephthalate. Typically, the initial molecular weightof the polymer will be in the range of about 15,000 to 50,000 preferablyfrom 19,000 to 43,000 and ideally from 19,000 to 26,000. Thepolyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene units of the copolymer typicallyhave a molecular weight range of from about 1,000 to 10,000, preferablyfrom 2,500 to 6,000 and ideally from 3,000 to 4,000. In such polymersthe molar ratio of polyethylene terephthalate to polyoxyethylene orpolyoxypropylene terephthalate units will typically be in the range of2:1 to 6:1 and preferably from 3:1 to 4:1, e.g. about 3:1. Theproportion of ethylene oxide to phthalic moiety in the polymer willdesirably be at least 10:1. Ratios of 20:1 or greater are desirable withthose of 20:1 to 30:1 being preferred thereby providing a polymer whichmay be considered as being essentially modified ethylene oxide polymerwith the phthalic moiety being only a minor component thereof.

The polymeric material is available commercially, either as a drypowder, e.g. Alkaril SRP from Alkaril Chemicals which can be dispersedin an aqueous carrier or in the form of an aqueous dispersion, e.g.Alkaril QCJ from Alkaril Chemicals, Milease T from ICI Americas Inc. orZelcon 5126 from Dupont. One or more polar organic carriers, e.g. aglycol, glycol ether, terpene or alcohol can be used in lieu of waterwhen desired to form a dispersion containing from about 0.1 to 35%(wt/wt) of the polymeric material. All percentages mentioned herein areweight percentages of the polyester dispersion. Multiple applicationsare necessary to obtain the optimal level of protection atconcentrations below 1% and, while concentrations above about 35% arenot detrimental, additional protection has not been observed with higherlevels of polymer.

When a formulation having cleaning as well as protecting capabilities isdesired, one can add detergent builders such as sodium bicarbonate,sodium carbonate, a sodium silicate, a tripolyphosphate or sodiumcitrate. When used, the detergent builder will typically be employed ata level of up to about 5%. In addition up to 50%, of a cationic, anionicor nonionic surfactant and/or combinations thereof such as anethoxylated alcohol, an ether sulfate or an alkyl sulfate can be addedto the formulation. Besides providing additional cleaning power thedetergent allows the formulation to form a more even layer when appliedto the surface to be protected. One or more solvent, such as alcohol, aglycol ether, a terpene, pine oil, d-limonene or mineral spirits can beused in amounts up to about 40% of the formulation to enhance itscleaning performance as well as an abrasive such as calcium carbonate,talc or pumice to provide a softscrub formulation. When wood surfacesare to be treated a soap such as flax soap (a linseed oil or fatty acidderived soap) can be added at a level up to about 50 wt. %. A siliconeresin such as Masil 1066D or Dow DC-346 can be added at a level up toabout 25% to enhance the shine on the protected surface and a smallamount of brightener (<1.0%) such as Tinopal 5BM can be added toincrease the reflectance of the treated surface.

The above mentioned concentrations describe a formulation which is readyto apply to the hard surface to be protected. For convenience sake, onemay prefer to market a product which is concentrated by removal of partor all of the carrier. At the time of use, such a concentratedformulation can simply be diluted out with water to provide a dispersionhaving the desired level of functional ingredients.

For good shelf life, the formulation should have a pH within the rangeof about 3.0 to 9.5 (preferably 5.0 to 8.0) to prevent hydrolysis of thepolyethylene terephthalate/polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropyleneterephthalate copolymer. The desired pH range can be maintained by theaddition of suitable amounts of a buffer such as sodium carbonate,sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate or mixtures of these and/or otherbuffers to the formulation.

The formulation can be used to clean and protect any suitable hardsurface such as Formica, vinyl tile, ceramic tile, porcelain, enamel,wood, painted surfaces, fiberglass, glass, various solid metal surfaces,plastics and plated metals. It can be applied using such dispensers asaerosols, pump sprays, trigger sprays or wiped on with a sponge or papertowel. Once applied to the surface, the protective layer is wiped drywith a suitable material, i.e. sponge or paper towel. The treatedsurface should ideally be thoroughly dry before water or soil is addedthereto. On some surfaces, a rainbow haze is observed upon formation ofthe protective, polymeric layer. This can be removed by buffing with awet or dry cotton cloth or chamois. An alkaline cleaner such as Formula"409" cleaner from Clorox can be used to remove the protective layerfrom the surface when desired.

The method of practicing the present invention and the results achievedthereby are further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLE I

The tests described herein involved the use of an aqueous dispersion ofAlkaril SRP from Alkaril Chemicals, Inc. The dispersion contained about10% by weight of a copolymer of the type described as being usefulherein in which the molar ratio of ethylene oxide to phthalic moiety isabout 22:1.

This dispersion was applied to formica panels by applying a small amountof the dispersion to half of the panel as evenly as possible with acotton cloth and allowing it to air dry for 30 minutes. The treated anduntreated sides were marked with black crayola and each side was cleanedwith "Fantastik", a cleaner from Dow Brands, using a weighted device,i.e. a solid stainless steel holder weighted to 3 pounds with anattached metal handle. The holder is designed to hold a 1.5"×3.5"×0.5"block of wood which is wrapped with a 9"×24.5" piece of cheese cloth aswiper. The number of wipes required to remove the crayola mark weremeasured for both sides. The results were:

Number of Wipes

    ______________________________________                                                    Number of Wipes                                                               for 100% Soil Removal                                             Trial No.     Treated  Untreated                                              ______________________________________                                        1             7        Over 20                                                2             8        Over 20                                                3             7        Over 20                                                4             4        Over 20                                                5             5        Over 20                                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE II

Panels of formica, ceramic tile and fiberglass were treated in themanner described in Example I. Additional panels were treated in asimilar manner with dispersions of other materials known to be useful asprotective agents for hard surfaces. Representative of these materialswhose concentrations were at or above those recommended by theirsuppliers are:

    ______________________________________                                        Protectant Composition       Manufacturer                                     ______________________________________                                        DPSC 235-157                                                                             Quat/Silicone/Cornuba/                                                                          Sherex                                                      Petro Dist.                                                        Masil 295  Silicone Resin    Mazer                                            DC-346     Amino Func. Silicone                                                                            Dow Corning                                                 Emulsion                                                           Masil 123  Amino Func. Silicone                                                                            Mazer                                                       Fluid                                                              GP-6       Amino Func. Silicone                                                                            Genesse                                                                       Polymer                                          Wax & Dry  Waxes/Mineral Oil/                                                                              Kimberly                                                    Silicone/Antistat Clark                                            ______________________________________                                    

The coated surfaces were independently soiled with crayon, sebum andsoap scum and tested for the effort required to remove them as inExample I. The results of these tests for the various surfaces, formica,ceramic tile and fiberglass are set out in the following table:

    ______________________________________                                                  No. of Wipes for 100% Soil Removal                                  Protectant  Crayon      Sebum   Soap Scum                                     ______________________________________                                                  Ceramic Tile                                                        DPSC 235-157                                                                              7           2        4                                            Masil 295   3           2        3                                            DC-346      1           2        1                                            Masil 123   2           1        7                                            GP-6        9           3        2                                            Wax & Dry   5           2        2                                            Alkaril SRP 1           1        1                                            Control     7           3        4                                                      Fiberglass                                                          DPSC 235-157                                                                              20 (25%)    4       20                                            Masil 295   20 (0%)     3        4                                            DC-346      20 (75%)    3       10                                            Masil 123   20 (25%)    4       20                                            GP-6        20 (0%)     4       14                                            Wax & Dry   20 (25%)    3       11                                            Alkaril SRP 3           1        3                                            Control     20 (75%)    7       15                                                      Formica                                                             DPSC 235-157                                                                              20 (10%)    5       13                                            Masil 295   20 (0%)     6       12                                            DC-346      17          4        6                                            Masil 123   20 (50%)    6       20                                            GP-6        20 (50%)    6       10                                            Wax & Dry   19          6       10                                            Alkaril SRP 3           2        4                                            Control     20 (10%)    6       20                                            ______________________________________                                         *Parenthesis indicate soil removal if less than 100%.                    

EXAMPLE III

In a separate study, the effect of protectants on enamel coated metal,soiled with crayola, was studied. The results of this study are asfollows:

    ______________________________________                                        Protectant  No. of Wipes for 100% Soil Removal                                ______________________________________                                        DPSC 235-157                                                                              26                                                                Masil 292   4                                                                 DC-346      1                                                                 Masil 123   3                                                                 GP-6        9                                                                 Wax & Dry   20                                                                Alkaril SRP 1                                                                 Control     10                                                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE IV

Another study was conducted using Zelcon 5126, a copolymer ofpolyethylene terephthalate and polyoxypropylene terephthalate, in its 5%aqueous dispersion. Application of this material to formica aspreviously described resulted in 100% removal of crayon markings in 9wipes (compared with 10% removal in 20 wipes for the untreated control).Application of a 10% dispersion of this material to formica resulted in100% removal of the crayon mark with 5 wipes (compared with 0-10%removal in 20 wipes for the untreated control).

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of protecting a hard surface whichinvolves applying a dispersion of a polyester formed by thecopolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene orpolyoxypropylene terephthalate to said surface and allowing the carrierto evaporate.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyester makes upfrom about 0.1 to 35 weight % of the dispersion.
 3. The method of claim1 wherein the polyester is dispersed in water.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein the polyester is dispersed in one or more polar organic carrier.5. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyester is a copolymer ofpolyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate having aninitial molecular weight within the range of from about 15,000 to 50,000in which the polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene units have a molecularweight range of from 1,000 to 10,000 and the ratio of polyethyleneterephthalate to polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene terephthalate unitsis from 2:1 to 6:1.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the molecularweight of the polyester is from 10,000 to 43,000; the molecular weightof the polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene units is from 2,500 to 6,000.7. The method of claim 6 wherein the molecular weight of the polyesteris from 19,000 to 26,000; the molecular weight of the polyoxyethylene orpolyoxypropylene units is from 3,000 to 4,000 and the ratio is from 3:1to 4:1.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein there is combined with thepolyester dispersion one or more additional materials selected from thegroup consisting of detergent builders, surfactants, organic solvents,abrasives, soaps and silicones.
 9. A method for the protection of hardsurfaces which comprises applying a dispersion of a copolymer ofpolyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate, whereinthe molecular weight of the copolymer is from 15,000 to 50,000; themolecular weight of the polyoxyethylene units is from 1,000 to 10,000and the ratio of polyethylene terephthalate to polyoxyethyleneterephthalate units is from 2:1 to 6:1, to said surface and allowing thecarrier to evaporate.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the molecularweight of the copolymer is from 19,000 to 26,000; the molecular weightof the polyoxyethylene units is from 3,000 to 4,000 and the ratio isfrom 3:1 to 4:1.